Global Law Trials 2017

July 28th, 2017

World Rugby (formerly the International Rugby Board) has adopted a number of law trials which will come into force in northern hemisphere rugby from 1 August 2017 and will last for an initial period of one year. Some of these trials are already in force in the southern hemisphere and, indeed, were applied during the British & Irish Lions tour. However, some of the trials – see particularly the changes to the ruck designed to counter the Italy “only a tackle” tactic which enlivened the England-Italy 6 Nations match – are more recent and will not apply in the southern hemisphere until 1 January 2018. They will all apply to the new season in England, starting with our pre-season friendly against Kirkby Lonsdale on 12 August.